When you become a senior in high school, all you want to do is graduate. It seems like senior year is never-ending. And then before you know it, you're wearing that cap and gown and walking across that stage ready to get to the end. Now what?

Most of us will end up going to college. Lately, there's been a trend of people choosing to go to a college nearby and stay at home. College is supposed to be a life-altering experience, so why would you choose to stay at home?

Now, I know there are a few good reasons for doing so - medical reasons, cost, and having to enter the workforce being a few. But if those don't apply to you, you should go out and experience life! And the best way to do that at this point in your life is by going off to college. I'm not saying you have to go across the country, but good for you if you do! Just don't stay home and not experience life if you can help it. It doesn't even have to be that far away. I myself only moved an hour away from my hometown, and Auburn University is only 45 miles away from my hometown.

College is where you come across people from all walks of life. Troy University has a prevalent international presence, so there are many international students wherever you turn. There are several events put on by our international student organization, so there is always an opportunity to experience another culture.

If the international scene isn't for you, there's plenty of people to meet and things to do. I myself have met plenty of people from all over the US. You get to learn where people come from, and overall, college is great for getting out of your comfort zone. There's a 99.9% chance you will meet at least one person who has many of the same interests as you.

College is not just for those who want to get a degree (although that IS the reason). It's also for those who want to get out of their hometown and experience new things, and you won't find that if you go to a college the next town over that you've been to a hundred times already.